Game Review

Beginning a weekend studded with milestones for the Carlton Football Club, the Navy Blues suffered their eighth loss of the season when they went down swinging against the reigning premiers Hawthorn in this Friday night encounter at the MCG. Hamstrung by the late withdrawal of key talls Lachie Henderson and Michael Jamison, the Blues trailed for most the first half, before rallying to hit the front midway through the third quarter. Hawthorn came again however, and kicked five of the last seven goals of the game to run out winners by 28 points.

On the eve of celebrations marking 150 years since the clubs’ foundation in 1864, senior coach Mick Malthouse achieved the extraordinary feat of coaching his 700th VFL/AFL game when he sent the Blues out to meet the Hawks on this cool, overcast evening in front of a crowd of just under 50,000. Adding to the occasion, stalwart Brock McLean played his 150th senior match, and champion midfielder Chris Judd at last made it back on to the field, having previously managed just six minutes of football all season.

Following their controversially-narrow loss to Geelong the previous week, Carlton made only one change to the line-up on selection night, when Judd proved his fitness and was an automatic inclusion at the expense of Jeff Garlett. Early on match day however, both Jamison and Henderson were ruled out, meaning that youngsters Matthew Watson and Nick Graham were given a chance to shine on the big stage. Watson was given a role in defence, and Graham was named as the Blues' substitute.

Given the honour of calling the toss of the coin, McLean chose correctly and his team capitalised with a whirlwind first few minutes. Led by a vintage Chris Judd – who hunted the football with intent, and set up the first goal of the match to Mitch Robinson – Carlton were up for the contest early. Scores were level after Bryce Gibbs threaded through a brilliant free-kick from deep in the left forward pocket, but then Hawthorn settled and exerted their authority. Four unanswered majors by the Hawks in the last 15 minutes of the quarter gave them a 25-point lead at quarter-time, and signs looked ominous for the Blues.

Carlton came out hard again in the second term, and played some exhilarating football – highlighted by three goals and surely the mark of the year by Levi Casboult. Five minutes into the term, after Robinson had kicked his second major to get the Blues rolling, Zach Tuohy pumped the ball long inside Carlton’s forward 50. The pack rose to meet it, and Levi’s judgement was perfect as he soared over everyone and plucked the Sherrin from the night sky in an iconic moment. And when he kicked truly to bring up Carlton’s fourth goal, the Blues were well and truly in the contest. At this time there were fierce one-on-one contests all over the ground, with Judd, Warnock, Robinson, Gibbs and Murphy leading the way for the Blues. Hawthorn’s full-forward Jarryd Roughhead and their livewire small forward Cyril Rioli were creating headaches for Carlton’s defence, but the Blues’ makeshift backline was resolute. Continuing his fine season at full-back, Sam Rowe was matching Roughhead on most occasions and showing real poise under intense pressure. At half-time, the Blues had reduced the deficit to 18 points and an upset was brewing.

Again, the Blues came out firing in the early minutes of the third team, to be rewarded by goals to Robinson and Casboult. Playing quick, decisive football, Carlton attacked through the centre corridor whenever possible and their boldness payed off. Meanwhile, Hawthorn was tag-teaming Warnock in the ruck and trying to wear the big Blue down. The game lifted further in intensity, and after Rioli was reported by a field umpire for rough conduct against Tuohy, a free-kick and goal to Mitch Robinson (his third for the match) levelled scores once again after 16 minutes. A minute later Jarrad Waite marked for Carlton inside 50. He should have nailed the shot and didn’t, but he made amends almost immediately by marking closer in and kicking truly to put his side seven points up. If Watson had made the most of his golden opportunity at the 23-minute mark – instead of shanking his kick from 20 metres straight in front – Carlton might have maintained momentum. Instead, Hawthorn struck back once more, and two majors during time on – including a miraculous goal from deep in the left forward pocket by Isaac Smith – restored Hawthorn’s lead by 5 points right on the three-quarter time siren.

Having replaced Watson just before the break, Nick Graham was soon in the thick of the action when the last quarter began, as too were Judd, Murphy and Andrew Carrazzo. Pushing forward, Andrew Walker took a strong mark 45 metres wide out in the first minute of play, and his kick drifted wide, before Hawthorn launched the decisive onslaught of the match. With their midfield relentless and Roughhead a reliable target in attack, the Hawks kicked four goals in succession to break away by 21 points midway through the quarter. Although the Blues persisted and fought the match out to its disappointing conclusion, the last 15 minutes of the match was a stalemate and the final scores were a just result.

Undoubtedly the bright notes for the Blues after this match came from the performances of Chris Judd and Levi Casboult. In his first full game of the year, the Juddster was electric in racking up 26 disposals (10 contested) 6 tackles and 6 entries inside 50. Casboult provided a real target in attack by taking five marks and kicking four vital goals in his most influential game to date, while Bryce Gibbs (23 disposals (15 contested) 6 tackles, 9 clearances) Mitch Robinson (18 disposals, 8 tackles, 6 marks, 3 goals) and Andrew Carrazzo (32 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 marks, 4 clearances) could scarcely have given more.

*- Nick Graham and Matthew Watson replaced Lachlan Henderson and Michael Jamison in the selected side

Milestones

150 Games (AFL):Brock McLeanCoach Milestones: This was Mick Malthouse's 700th League game as coach (the last 36 at Carlton).Interesting Fact: In playing his 10th game for the year, Simon White achieved his best season (games played) to date in his fifth year at the club.